Blackout not likely

According to Steve LaCroix, the Vikings’ vice president of sales and marketing and the team’s chief marketing officer, fewer than 1,000 tickets remained for Sunday’s home opener against Tampa Bay as of this morning.

The team has until noon Thursday to see those tickets to ensure there is no TV blackout for the game, a chore that should not be difficult.

Meanwhile, LaCroix said fewer than 4,000 tickets remain for the Viking’s home game against Detroit Sept. 25.

Matt Vensel is in his first year at the Star Tribune after covering the Ravens for the Baltimore Sun for six years. He is a Pittsburgh native and a Penn State grad. Follow him at @mattvensel.

Mark Craig has covered the NFL for 23 years, and the Vikings since 2003 for the Star Tribune. He is one of 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. Follow him at @markcraignfl.

Master Tesfatsion is the Star Tribune’s digital Vikings writer. He is a 2013 graduate of Arizona State and worked for mlb.com before arriving in Minneapolis. Follow him at @masterstrib.